Westfield Athenaeum Library
New Materials - Video
See also Videos for Kids.
Feature Films and Fiction Series DVDs
Da Vinci's Inquest Season 3 - Fans have dubbed it "Quincy with brains." Nicholas Campbell stars as charismatic, mercurial Vancouver coroner Dominic Da Vinci in this lavishly awarded Canadian series. Each episode blends contemporary social subjects with topical issues of law and order, all seen through the eyes of a man who can’t resist a battle for justice. "Unlike anything on television" -New York Times
John Adams (HBO miniseries) - John Adams is a sprawling HBO miniseries event that depicts the extraordinary life and times of one of Americas least understood and most underestimated founding fathers: the second President of the United States John Adams. Starring Paul Giamatti (Sideways Cinderella Man HBOs American Spendor) in the title role and Laura Linney (You Can Count on Me Kinsey) as Adams devoted wife Abigail John Adams chronicles the extraordinary life journey of one of the primary shapers of our independence and government whose legacy has often been eclipsed by more flamboyant contemporaries like George Washington Thomas Jefferson Alexander Hamilton and Benjamin Franklin. Set against the backdrop of a nations stormy birth this sweeping miniseries is a moving love story a gripping narrative and a fascinating study of human nature. Above all at a time when the nation is increasingly polarized politically this story celebrates the shared values of liberty and freedom upon which this country was built
Weeds: Season 3 - America's favorite pot-dealing soccer mom is more addictive than ever in the third season of WEEDS, the highly acclaimed Showtime(r) Original Series. Emmy (r) and Golden Globe(r) winner MARY-LOUISE PARKER stars as Nancy Botwin, a single mom who resorts to dealingpot after her husband dies suddenly. But when an off beat way to make ends meet grows into a mini-empire, the mother of all dealers finds she may be in over her head -- and on the verge of taking everyone else with her. Hilarious and subversive, WEEDS is the hit that put the herb in suburb.
Bucket List - Two terminally ill men try to fulfill a wish list known as "The Bucket List" before each kicks the bucket.
The Other Boleyn Girl - Two sisters, Anne and Mary Boleyn, are driven by their ambitious Father and Uncle to advance the family's power and status by courting the affections of the King of England. Leaving behind the simplicity of country life, the girls are thrust into the dangerous and thrilling world of court life--and what began as a bid to help their family develops into a ruthless rivalry between Anne and Mary for the love of the King.
Mcleod's Daughters Season 6 - They're ordinary women facing the extraordinary adventure of life on the land. Series 6 of McLeod's Daughters continues when long time Drover's favourite, Jodi Fountain, unearths her true relationship to the McLeod family legacy.
Jumper - A genetic anomaly allows a young man to teleport himself anywhere. He discovers this gift has existed for centuries and finds himself in a war that has been raging for thousands of years between "Jumpers" and those who have sworn to kill them.
NCIS: Complete 2nd Season - The sophomore season of this JAG spin-off is even more satisfying than the first, largely due to nuanced scripts that add more weight to the principal characters, especially Special Agent Leroy Gibbs. The individual episode plots remain suspenseful, but during this year the emphasis on character enhance them considerably. Joining the NCIS (Naval Criminal Investigative Service) team on a full-time basis is agent Tim McGee, a recurring character in Season 1.
Spencer for Hire - Made for T.V. movies based on the best-selling books by Robert B. Parker that The New York Times calls "one of the great series in the history of the American detective story."
Romulus My Father - Based on Raimond Gaita's critically acclaimed memoir of the same name. It tells the story of Romulus (Eric Bana), his beautiful wife, Christina (Franka Potenta), and their struggle in the face of great adversity to bring up their son, Raimond (Kodi Smit-McPhee).
I'm Not There - Six actors portray six personas of music legend Bob Dylan in scenes depicting various stages in the musician's life. Chronicling Dylan's rise from unknown folksinger to international icon, the film reveals how he reinvented himself many times. Todd Haynes directs this stylized portrait, the first biography approved by the singer-songwriter. Marcus Carl Franklin, Ben Whishaw, Heath Ledger, Christian Bale, Richard Gere and Cate Blanchett (in an Oscar-nominated role) star.
Lilies - In this BBC-produced drama set in post-World War I Liverpool, England, three sisters (Catherine Tyldesley, Kerrie Hayes, Leanne Rowe) face the usual coming-of-age struggles in a world that offers few choices to women of no financial means. That doesn't, however, stop the Moss girls from finding laughter as well as pain as they struggle to make their way in the world -- one making chocolates, one selling corsets and one working as a parlor maid.
Love My Way : Season 1 -This successful and critically acclaimed series from Down Under follows the joys and hardships faced by the Jackson and Paige clans and their extended group of family, friends and lovers. In the premiere season, impulsive Frankie (Claudia Karvan) and her newly remarried ex, Charlie (Daniel Wyllie), cope with an unthinkable sudden tragedy. Meanwhile, Frankie's cynical flatmate, Tom (Brendan Cowell), wrestles with substance abuse.
Partition - In 1947, the same tumultuous year that India and Pakistan were divided into two separate states, a Sikh and former soldier (Jimi Mistry) puts his life on the line to save the life of a beautiful Muslim woman (Kristin Kreuk). In the wake of the heroic rescue, the two strangers find themselves falling in love. But are they destined to stay confined by the strict boundaries of their respective faiths?
Hitman - When a highly trained gun-for-hire known only as Agent 47 (Timothy Olyphant) gets entangled in a political takeover, he finds himself hunted by both Interpol and the Russian military. On the run, he tries to uncover who set him up while battling with newfound feelings for a beautiful woman. The globe-trotting action film, based on a video game, was shot on location in Bulgaria, South Africa, Istanbul, St. Petersburg and London.
Daphne - Geraldine Somerville stars in this BBC biopic as acclaimed novelist Daphne du Maurier, whose secret infatuations and affairs with the likes of heiress Ellen Doubleday (Elizabeth McGovern) and actress Gertrude Lawrence (Janet McTeer) are said to have informed much of her writing. Based largely on Margaret Forster's biography, Clare Beavan's film paints a stirring portrait of an artist's struggle for self-acceptance.
Fool's Gold - Charming but luckless treasure hunter Ben Finnegan (Matthew McConaughey) has sacrificed his relationship with wife Tess (Kate Hudson) in search of the Queen's Dowry, a legendary treasure lost at sea. When he discovers a fresh clue, hope for riches -- and his marriage -- is rekindled. Will they locate the loot before their rivals and rediscover love? Directed by Andy Tennant, this romantic adventure also features Donald Sutherland.
Guantanamero - After washing up on an empty Cuban beach in the wake of a storm, Ali (Rupert Evans) soon meets and falls for the beautiful dancer Manuela (Natalia Verbeke). But as their relationship flowers, Ali's past -- he was an escapee from Guantanamo -- catches up with him. Derek Jacobi co-stars as the mysterious jealous expat Guido in this moody exploration of crime and punishment by writer-director Vicente Peñarrocha.
Telling Lies - To arouse her ex-boyfriend's jealousy, high schooler Faith (Jenna Harrison) and her best friend, Eve (Kelly Stables), invent a new beau for Faith named Vincent. But their prank has terrible repercussions when Faith is arrested for the murder of the supposedly imaginary Vincent. Desperate to prove her innocence, Faith goes on the run to uncover the truth behind the baffling mystery. Melanie Brown (formerly Scary Spice) and Jason Flemyng co-star.
Bonneville - Jessica Lange, Joan Allen and Kathy Bates star in this road trip yarn, which follows three friends on a journey across the West after one of them is widowed. Along the way, they learn a thing or two about themselves, one another and life. Powerful performances drive home the themes of friendship and female solidarity, while the awe-inspiring landscapes of the American Southwest convey a true sense of carpe diem.
Vice: Season 2 - Metropolitan Police Inspector Pat Chappel (Ken Stott) and his vice unit investigate London's sex-crime underworld, taking down a child prostitution ring, a gambling operation, a sex slave racket and more in Season 2 of this riveting British series. Often pushed to the edge by the job and Chappel are dedicated vice agents Joe Robinson (David Harewood), Dougie Raymond (Marc Warren) and Cheryl Hutchins (Caroline Catz).
Persepolis - Marjane (voiced by Chiara Mastroianni) just wants to be an ordinary kid, but that isn't easy in 1978 Iran. This profound animated film follows Marjane's childhood in a repressive society, her adolescence in France and return to Tehran as an adult. Based on Marjane Satrapi's autobiographical graphic novel, this Oscar nominee for Best Animated Feature Film also features the vocal talents of Catherine Deneuve and Simon Abkarian.
In Bruge - After accidentally killing an innocent boy in London, Irish hit men Ray (Colin Farrell) and Ken (Brendan Gleeson) are sent by their boss, Harry (Ralph Fiennes), to lay low in Bruges. But, uncomfortable in this foreign city, the two professional killers soon get into trouble. Complicating matters further, when the guilt-ridden Ray falls for a girl working on a film shoot, he finds himself confronting the girl's jealous ex-boyfriend.
Definitely Maybe - Will Hayes (Ryan Reynolds) is getting a divorce, prompting his precocious 11-year-old daughter, Maya (Abigail Breslin), to ask how her parents met. As Will relates his romantic history (changing the names of his past girlfriends), Maya tries to guess which of the three women in his story would someday become her mother: college sweetheart Emily (Elizabeth Banks), best friend April (Isla Fisher) or free-spirited journalist Summer (Rachel Weisz).
Nonfiction DVDs
Joseph Campbell's Mythos - Journey with the remarkable Joseph Campbell as he explores how myths evolve to reflect changing beliefs about nature, God and life to his explanation of the shaping of Eastern tradition by examining spirituality through the mythic images of Hinduism and Buddhism. Hosted by Susan Sarandon.
Living with your Dog - Teach Fido how to sit, stand, jump and lots more with this instructional video. Hosts Jack and Wendy Volhard share with viewers their patented "Motivational Method," which stresses the importance of positive reinforcement in training dogs. Through years of experience studying canine behavior, the Volhards have learned that rewarding dogs for correct responses ultimately leads to success for both dogs and trainers.
Weir's Way - Broadcast over a 20-year period, this beloved travel series features iconic Scotsman Tom Weir, a national hero who's long been known for his passion for nature and his frequent roamings about the Scottish Highlands. Whether chatting with the locals in a seaside town, exploring the countryside or tracing Prince Charles's famous flight through the local mountains, Weir's enthusiasm and joie de vivre are sure to inspire any outdoor enthusiast.
Ultimate National Parks Collection - It may sound strange to pay a visit to nature through the screen, but this collection of some of America's most coveted natural treasures is an inspiration to go out and see them firsthand. But in the meantime, these beautifully photographed and educational documentaries should provide insights into these majestic landscapes
Nature Parks Series - Each DVD covers a single Park including the Badlands, Canyon De Chelly, Death Valley, Haleakala, Mississippi Swamps, Petrified Forest, Valley of Fire, Yellowstone, Yosemite, Acadia, Arches, Canadian Rockies, Everglades, Hawai'i Volcanoes, Joshua Tree, Colorado Rockies, Canyonlands, Bryce Canyon, Grand Canyon andMesa Verde.
updated July 3, 2008
